Quantitative multi-modal optical imaging of deep tissue. This project aims to create new tools to quantify the structural and functional properties of tissue. Combining multiple optical imaging technologies (multi-modal) into a single, miniaturised probe, these tools could enable physiologists and biomedical researchers to obtain new insight into disease. Encasing the highly miniaturised probe within a medical needle is aimed to allow insertion of the 'needle probe' deep into tissue, extending o ....Quantitative multi-modal optical imaging of deep tissue. This project aims to create new tools to quantify the structural and functional properties of tissue. Combining multiple optical imaging technologies (multi-modal) into a single, miniaturised probe, these tools could enable physiologists and biomedical researchers to obtain new insight into disease. Encasing the highly miniaturised probe within a medical needle is aimed to allow insertion of the 'needle probe' deep into tissue, extending optical imaging to areas not previously accessible. The project could develop novel quantification models to allow longitudinal assessment and comparison between subjects. Validating the tools with specific biomarkers, it could provide outcomes in breast and liver cancer, and a framework to explore other diseases.Read moreRead less
The virtual human knee. This project aims to investigate the Virtual Human Knee (VHK) which provides a baseline knowledge about knee mechanics in healthy individuals and a tool for studying knee mechanics in silico. The new knowledge can be used for identifying individuals most at risk for injury, developing solutions for preventing injury and for assessing knee reconstruction and implantation methods. As such, VHK will mitigate the burden of knee injury to Australia and worldwide by progressing ....The virtual human knee. This project aims to investigate the Virtual Human Knee (VHK) which provides a baseline knowledge about knee mechanics in healthy individuals and a tool for studying knee mechanics in silico. The new knowledge can be used for identifying individuals most at risk for injury, developing solutions for preventing injury and for assessing knee reconstruction and implantation methods. As such, VHK will mitigate the burden of knee injury to Australia and worldwide by progressing disciplines including anatomy, bio-mechanics, sport science, rehabilitation, surgery and medical devices.Read moreRead less
Advanced Nanostructured Biointerfaces for Cell Capture. The expected outcomes of this interdisciplinary project, which apply the most recent advances in nanotechnology and biophysics to cancer research, will enhance Australia's capacity in Frontier Technology and build strength in Nanobiotechnology. They will bring competitive advantages to the Australian biotechnology and biomedical community for further developments and applications in the multi-billion dollar field of biodiagnostics. These in ....Advanced Nanostructured Biointerfaces for Cell Capture. The expected outcomes of this interdisciplinary project, which apply the most recent advances in nanotechnology and biophysics to cancer research, will enhance Australia's capacity in Frontier Technology and build strength in Nanobiotechnology. They will bring competitive advantages to the Australian biotechnology and biomedical community for further developments and applications in the multi-billion dollar field of biodiagnostics. These innovative biodiagnostic strategies will potentially achieve a significant step in the direction of the once elusive goal of early detection and improved understanding of cancer.Read moreRead less
Virtual testing of orthopaedic devices as part of the design and development process: strategies to account for patient and surgical variability. Novel computational tools will be developed through this project to help account for patient and surgical variability in the design of orthopaedic implants, such as hip and knee replacements and spinal products. These tools will reduce the design time, give greater insight in implant performance and ultimately lead to safer implants with improved longe ....Virtual testing of orthopaedic devices as part of the design and development process: strategies to account for patient and surgical variability. Novel computational tools will be developed through this project to help account for patient and surgical variability in the design of orthopaedic implants, such as hip and knee replacements and spinal products. These tools will reduce the design time, give greater insight in implant performance and ultimately lead to safer implants with improved longevity.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100057
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
A high-resolution X-ray microtomography system. This project aims to establish a Scanco microCT 50 high resolution X-Ray microtomography system, to non-destructively visualise and quantitatively characterise complex samples, including advanced composites, tissue engineering constructs, biological tissues, minerals and fossils. The non-destructive characterisation of these samples is critical to advance research. The versatile system offers high spatial resolution (down to 500 nm voxel size) and ....A high-resolution X-ray microtomography system. This project aims to establish a Scanco microCT 50 high resolution X-Ray microtomography system, to non-destructively visualise and quantitatively characterise complex samples, including advanced composites, tissue engineering constructs, biological tissues, minerals and fossils. The non-destructive characterisation of these samples is critical to advance research. The versatile system offers high spatial resolution (down to 500 nm voxel size) and large sample size (up to 100 mm diameter). The project will enable progress in advanced composites, additive bio-manufacturing, physiology of biological tissues and palaeontology which will benefit Australian science. Additionally, through commercialisation and the formation of new companies, the project could potentially result in economic and health benefits to the wider Australian population and economy.Read moreRead less
Breaking The Wavelength Barrier: Near-Field T-ray Imaging. Australia will benefit from the interaction between engineering, physics, and biology to develop a new T-ray imaging system that will ultimately be able to probe microstructures, biological single cells or even neurons. The project will exploit a powerful new electrooptical technique for obtaining chemical 'fingerprints' at the cellular level. This breakthrough will be a fundamental step towards a system for probing disease states of sin ....Breaking The Wavelength Barrier: Near-Field T-ray Imaging. Australia will benefit from the interaction between engineering, physics, and biology to develop a new T-ray imaging system that will ultimately be able to probe microstructures, biological single cells or even neurons. The project will exploit a powerful new electrooptical technique for obtaining chemical 'fingerprints' at the cellular level. This breakthrough will be a fundamental step towards a system for probing disease states of single cells and will open up new lines of scientific enquiry. Ultimately, Australia will benefit from a new technology and new diagnostic biomedical techniques. This is potentially an enabling technology for future customised medicine, where rapid biochip sensing becomes foreseeable.Read moreRead less
Advanced Intramedullary Nailing Systems. The proposed project is aimed at developing advanced orthopaedic implants (intramedullary nails and associated locking screws) commonly used for bone fracture repair. These new generation metallic implants will be developed using a comprehensive research approach centred on physico-chemical and mechanical properties investigations. A new generation of intramedullary nailing systems with superior design and mechanical properties (small diameter and high st ....Advanced Intramedullary Nailing Systems. The proposed project is aimed at developing advanced orthopaedic implants (intramedullary nails and associated locking screws) commonly used for bone fracture repair. These new generation metallic implants will be developed using a comprehensive research approach centred on physico-chemical and mechanical properties investigations. A new generation of intramedullary nailing systems with superior design and mechanical properties (small diameter and high strength) and improved bone fixation is the key expected outcome. The knowledge generated in the project is expected to lead to the growth of the Industry Partner (Austofix). Training of a world class researcher in the multidisciplinary field of biomaterials will be an additional outcome.Read moreRead less
Towards a miniaturised on-chip terahertz biosensing system. Terahertz (or T-ray) radiation is highly sensitive to minute changes in the molecular structure of many substances. Furthermore most packing materials are transparent to this new form of radiation. This implies enormous potential for T-rays in a range of applications from quality control via non-invasive contact-less chemical fingerprinting through to safety and security applications. A detailed study of the molecular vibrations that gi ....Towards a miniaturised on-chip terahertz biosensing system. Terahertz (or T-ray) radiation is highly sensitive to minute changes in the molecular structure of many substances. Furthermore most packing materials are transparent to this new form of radiation. This implies enormous potential for T-rays in a range of applications from quality control via non-invasive contact-less chemical fingerprinting through to safety and security applications. A detailed study of the molecular vibrations that give rise to these fingerprints will help chemists and biologists to learn more about the underlying molecular binding forces, impacting on wide applications for safe non-invasive sensing in the medical, security, chemical and food industries.Read moreRead less
Attachment of Growth Factors to Pure, Plasma Modified and Coated Titanium Substrates. Titanium and its alloys are routinely used as medical and dental implants. Despite coating with hydroxyapatite, a material well known to improve implant fixation, many such implants fail because of lack of strong integration with bone. This proposal aims at achieving long-term stability of titanium implants through their surface modification and subsequent attachment of growth factors. The use of latter has alr ....Attachment of Growth Factors to Pure, Plasma Modified and Coated Titanium Substrates. Titanium and its alloys are routinely used as medical and dental implants. Despite coating with hydroxyapatite, a material well known to improve implant fixation, many such implants fail because of lack of strong integration with bone. This proposal aims at achieving long-term stability of titanium implants through their surface modification and subsequent attachment of growth factors. The use of latter has already been shown to help bone-implant integration. Successful project implementation will provide titanium implant surfaces that will help achieve speedier and improved implant fixation with long-term stability. Knowledge, expertise and techniques developed will help the industry partner expanding its research base and business and generating wealth in Australia. Training of world-class research students in the emerging field of biotechnology will be another major outcome.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101530
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,744.00
Summary
Synchrotron-based modelling of the deformation and fracture mechanism in normal and osteoporotic femurs under multiaxial loading cycles. The femur is a light-weight structure designed to best perform in life. However, the complex tissue architecture, microstructural organisation and its complex loading regimens make it difficult to understand how the femur can deform and fracture. This project studies femoral fractures by modelling the proximal femur with a micrometric level of detail. Synchrotr ....Synchrotron-based modelling of the deformation and fracture mechanism in normal and osteoporotic femurs under multiaxial loading cycles. The femur is a light-weight structure designed to best perform in life. However, the complex tissue architecture, microstructural organisation and its complex loading regimens make it difficult to understand how the femur can deform and fracture. This project studies femoral fractures by modelling the proximal femur with a micrometric level of detail. Synchrotron femur images are taken in loaded and unloaded conditions. Cortical strain and fracture are measured, replicating possible multiaxial loads. Micro finite-element models will be used to study the contribution that the bone tissue architecture, tissue structure and activity types make to the fracture. The resulting knowledge will have future orthopaedic applications.Read moreRead less